True Religion (3)
“but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:24 NASB
Knows – yada’, yada’, yada’. Did you ever think that this colloquialism is the equivalent of “holy, holy, holy”? Jeremiah tells us that yada’ is one of the two principle verbs connected to true religion. To understand (sakal) and the know (yada’) YHVH is the essence of right relationship with Him. We know that “understand” is serious intellectual enterprise. Simple faith might work for simpletons, but YHVH expects His children to grapple with serious questions and seek serious answers. Thinking—deeply—is part of following Him. Now we discover that understanding (sakal) isn’t quite enough. We are also commanded to “know” Him (yada’). So what’s the difference between these two verbs and why are they both essential?
yada’ is a big-umbrella verb. It covers everything from knowing that 8 + 8 = 16 to the intimacy of sexual encounter. It is a one-size-fits-all expression. That means that context has to fill in the appropriate meaning in use. Adam knew Havvah but they weren’t learning algebra (although they were learning multiplication). When YHVH Himself says that true religion is knowing Him, He means that the intimacy of deep relationship, the friendship, the honesty, the confrontation, the instruction, the familial bonding, are all part of ‘yada YHVH. He’s your best friend, your protective parent, your mentor, your examiner, your guide, your lover, your comforter, your doctor, your judge and a host of other close connections. Understanding who God is is not enough. Understanding who He is and experiencing intimacy with Him is the essence of true religion.
“True religion consists in acknowledging the complete sovereignty of God in life and allowing him to fill life with those qualities of steadfast faithfulness, justice, and righteousness which he possesses, in which he delights, and which he desires to find in his people.”[1]
So we have the information. We know the meanings of sakal and ‘yada in this context. So what? More information will not produce true religion. What must happen is the conversion of study into action. We must become doers of the word.
You’ve read what sakal and ‘yada mean. Now you are accountable. Now the Judge of all mankind will examine you to see if what you know has become a reality in how you live. Notice how YHVH defines the application. hesed, mishpat, and tsedaqah on earth!
If these characteristics are not routinely expressed in your living, then you do not understand or know Him. If these are not present, you are not exhibiting true religion. You can attend as many “worship” services as you wish but it won’t make any difference. True religion is how God defines it. Not us.
Topical Index: yada’, know, sakal, understand, hesed, mishpat, tsedaqah, Jeremiah 9:24
[1] J. A. Thompson, The Book of Jeremiah, NICOT, p. 321.
I guess the difference for me between knowing Him and understanding Him was about like the difference between knowing ABOUT someone and actually having a love affair with them. I can know about lots of people, but I can have only one affair with the Lover of my soul.
Above ALL
Christianity is Christ. It is not a code nor a creed, it is the (“knowable”) Christ. The Anointed (One). The Messiah. The Lamb. Our Redeemer. Our Savior. Our Teacher. Our LORD.
There is One who humbled Himself and became “one of us,” – a man. One, a Priest after the order of Melchizedek, who was BOTH Son of God AND Son of man. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” Yes, and no. Or, “Yes,”- but more!
Now hear the heart -cry of Rabbi Sha’ul- “That I may know HIM” (Yes. – “yada”- Amen.)
Knowing Christ is Above All
…and may [I too] be found *in Him*, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
~ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead ~
You see, [the resurrected] Messiah has become the “firstfruits” of them that slept. “Firstfruits?”- there is more to follow!
We too, now have this “confident expectation” and may also join with Rabbi Sha’ul (and many others!) in this glad confession: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
And our joyful answer is? Death is now defeated!!! Death has lost and Life has won! Someone has gained TOTAL victory!! O victory!! – *in Jesus*
Shall we review?
NO!!!! -, in all these things we are [now] more than conquerors through Him who loved us!!!
Questions? Yes. When [dear friend] did He ever stop loving us?
YHWH, your Elohim, is in the midst of you, a Mighty Warrior who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will calm you in His love. He will rejoice over you with singing!! (Zephaniah 3.17)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eckskOzB1-Y
Perhaps I missed something: reading TW my thought turned to James… specifically chapter 1:27. Religion that is pure and undefiled before GOD, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. That knowledge requires that we understand and ACT.
I certainly understand him less than I thought. Just look at me.
“Simple faith might work for simpletons . . .”
Them thar is fightin’ werds wherz I comed out from, uh huh!
“Adam knew Havvah but they weren’t learning algebra (although they were learning multiplication).” Such a good example. So many levels to learning math/s, beginning with simple additions, then subtractions, then multiplication, then division….getting more and more difficult with each level, just as in our journey of seeking YHWH. And as with learning to read- learning the alephbet, then the phonetics, then the pronunciation, then the spelling…. :- ) such fun!
Amein. Well put.